Cahill in doubt for Paraguay

Tim Cahill missed a training session on Wednesday to get treatment on his injured knee, raising doubts about whether Australia's most influential player will be fit for Saturday's friendly against Paraguay.

While his team-mates prepared for their first home match since the World Cup, and the first on Australian soil under new German coach Holger Osieck, Cahill headed to the treatment rooms with physiotherapist Les Gelis.

The Australian camp is still confident Cahill will play against the World Cup quarter finalists, but there is more at stake than simply his availability for one match.

If Cahill was to aggravate the injury, his manager at English Premier League side Everton, David Moyes, would not be best pleased, especially as Cahill will soon be seeking a month's leave mid-season to play in January's Asian Cup in Qatar.

The Asian Cup is a FIFA sanctioned event, but players can nevertheless come under pressure over their club futures.

Moyes said Cahill was not fully fit despite sealing Everton's first win of the EPL season with a late goal against Birmingham City before making the long trip to Australia.

Many of Cahill's fellow Socceroos could also come under pressure, but all are adamant they will be wearing the green and gold in Qatar.

"But the African players have to do it with the African Nations Cup (held at a similar time of year) so why shouldn't we do it for the Asian Cup?

"I don't think they (the clubs) have got a choice. It's a FIFA date, so we have to go."

Asked whether the Asian Cup was an opportunity at international level or a hindrance at club level, Garcia said: "It's a wonderful opportunity. It's right up there with the European Cup.

"It's our European Cup, and it should be held in the same sort of esteem.

"You've got to think about whether you want to play for your country or your club.

"It's a fine balance, and sometimes it's up to the clubs to just understand that the national team sometimes comes first."

Garcia is looking forward to the more attacking style of the new coach after the defensive mindset of Pim Verbeek's reign, and is not fussed whether Osieck sees him playing wide on the right or in a striker's role.

So is right back Luke Wilkshire, who makes no pretence of his preference to make overlapping runs up the wing.

"The new boss has come in and he wants to attack, to go forward and make chances," Wilkshire said.

"I wouldn't say defending is the strongest part of my game. I like to get forward and obviously this (set-up) helps."

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, celebrating his 38th birthday on Wednesday, is expected to win his 81st cap on Saturday, just six behind record holder Alex Tobin.

With Craig Moore retiring after the World Cup and skipper Lucas Neill absent through injury, a new centre back pairing will be on show against Paraguay.

Early indications from team training are that Saudi Arabia-based Jon McKain and Gold Coast United's Michael Thwaite will get the nod.